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Updating . .   

Coronavirus: Trump tells governors he plans to revise social distancing guidelines -- The federal government will move to relax social distancing recommendations for some counties as President Trump hopes to restart the nation’s economy in the middle of the coronavirus pandemic, the president wrote in a letter to governors Thursday. Casey Tolan in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 3/26/20

Coronavirus Surge  

Silicon Valley could face 2,000 to 16,000 coronavirus-related deaths, new estimates show -- Silicon Valley could see a coronavirus-related death toll of 2,000 to 16,000 by the end of May, depending on how seriously people take the order to stay at home as much as possible, according to projections presented at a San Jose City Council meeting Wednesday. Rong-Gong Lin II in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/26/20

California coronavirus cases are doubling much faster than expected, surge likely on the way -- "We originally thought that it would be doubling every six to seven days. We see cases doubling every three to four days," California Secretary of Health and Human Services Dr. Mark Ghaly said at a news conference Wednesday. Ghaly said at that rate, he expects hospitals will see a surge in one to two weeks. Katie Dowd in the San Francisco Chronicle -- 3/26/20

Coronavirus: California cases top 3,000 as testing ramps up -- As of Wednesday night there were 3,082 confirmed cases of the new coronavirus in California and 67 deaths related to the disease known as COVID-19, according to the total cumulative cases as reported by the counties and compiled by the Bay Area News Group. John Woolfolk in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 3/26/20

‘A surge like we’ve never seen’: Sacramento hospitals brace for flood of coronavirus cases -- Sacramento-area hospital leaders are bracing for a barrage of new patients infected with the coronavirus and suffering from COVID-19, a surge of cases they say is just days away and unlike any they have ever seen. Cathie Anderson and Darrell Smith in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 3/26/20

Long lines, big demand: Still-limited LA-area drive-through coronavirus testing inches ahead -- Faced with mammoth demand and a finite capacity to deal with it, novel coronavirus testing sites have started to appear, scattered around Los Angeles County. But with long lines and a tapped-out appointment system to contend with, officials cautioned Wednesday, March 25 that capacity in the county is not where it should be. Ryan Carter in the Los Angeles Daily News$ -- 3/26/20

Coronavirus infections surge in Inland Empire; San Bernardino County cases triple in days -- San Bernardino County recorded 54 COVID-19 cases and two fatalities related to the virus as of Thursday. The number of confirmed cases has tripled in less than a week. The county initially recorded 17 cases Monday. Priscella Vega in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/26/20

UC Davis nurses fear COVID-19 patients have infected employees. ‘Absurd’ to think otherwise -- When he announced that employees of the UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento had tested positive for coronavirus, health system CEO David Lubarsky cast blame on the outside world as “very likely” responsible. He noted the hospital’s own infection-control regime for nurses, doctors and other medical staff, and said, “We simply can’t be protected outside of work.” Ryan Sabalow in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 3/26/20

California needs nurses. So why is the state about to give up 10,000 prospects? -- Amid a frantic scramble to open hospitals and increase the number of healthcare workers, California nursing schools are warning state officials that an estimated 10,000 nursing students are in jeopardy of not graduating, meaning they will be unable help evaluate and treat patients amid the coronavirus pandemic. Melody Gutierrez, Nina Agrawal in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/26/20

Six residents of Elk Grove senior facility have now tested positive for coronavirus -- The facility, Carlton Senior Living in Elk Grove, was home to a woman in her 90s who contracted the disease earlier this month and died at the hospital. That was the first Sacramento County death tied to the new coronavirus and apparently the first confirmed case in a California senior facility. Theresa Clift in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 3/26/20

Tesla: Two workers have the coronavirus, are in quarantine -- It was not immediately clear if the employees worked at the company’s Fremont factory, which remained open until Monday despite being ordered to close, along with other nonessential businesses, by Alameda County last week. Tesla’s headquarters is in Palo Alto, though the factory has the bulk of its Bay Area employees. Chase DiFeliciantonio in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 3/26/20

Social Distancing  

'6 feet apart is better than 6 feet under': The new rules of COVID-19 etiquette -- In these days of coronavirus, etiquette takes on a greater importance. This isn’t a matter of where to place knives and forks, or even of someone obnoxiously wearing his backpack on a crowded BART train; the new etiquette is part of a more dire social reality. David Curran in the San Francisco Chronicle -- 3/26/20

'This is serious business': Dr. Anthony Fauci answered questions from Steph Curry on Instagram -- Curry and Fauci covered a range of common questions about the novel coronavirus during their Instagram Live conversation. In the comment section, a number of celebrities popped in to make their presence known, including President Barack Obama (who posted a waving emoji) and the rapper Common (who wrote, inscrutably, "Common Cold.") A small plastic basketball hoop was visible in Dr. Fauci's office throughout the conversation. Michael Rosen in the San Francisco Chronicle Wes Goldberg in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 3/26/20

Advocates ask state to expand social safety net during coronavirus pandemic -- Like many janitors, her medical insurance comes via a trust fund that requires her to be continuously employed. If there’s a two-week gap in her job, she loses her insurance. “I’m very concerned that my coverage will run out,” she said. “I’m diabetic. A leave could be temporary but diabetes is forever.” Carolyn Said in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 3/26/20

Transit  

Parts of Bay Area halt light rail service due to coronavirus epidemic -- Light rail service is being suspended in San Francisco and Silicon Valley due to the coronavirus pandemic. The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority immediately suspended light rail service Wednesday night after a light rail operator trainee tested positive for the coronavirus, the agency said. Rong-Gong Lin II in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/26/20

Coronavirus: VTA suspends light rail service in South Bay after operator tests positive -- The South Bay light rail network run by the Valley Transportation Authority has shut down indefinitely after a person being trained as an operator tested positive for the coronavirus, officials said. Michael Cabanatuan in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 3/26/20

Air traffic down 85% at LAX as local airports face historic declines due to coronavirus -- Sean Burton, president of the Los Angeles Board of Airport Commissioners, said at a commission meeting Thursday that air passenger traffic is now down 85% nationally compared with a year ago. At LAX and Van Nuys, the effect is just as extreme, he said. Dakota Smith in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/26/20

Home Learning  

'It has not been enough': Bay Area parents on first week of distance learning -- Over the last week we polled parents and kids from pre-K to high school in a mix of both private and public schools in every county in the Bay Area — and while this is far from a full snapshot of every school and experience, it was nonetheless incredibly revealing. Based on this sample, Bay Area experiences with “school-from-home” can best be described as… uneven. Grant Marek in the San Francisco Chronicle -- 3/26/20

Homeless  

Few sheltered as California aims to help homeless amid virus -- Homeless outreach workers are passing out hand sanitizer, checking temperatures and pleading with people not to crowd together. But a week after California Gov. Gavin Newsom pledged thousands of hotel rooms to help the homeless survive the coronavirus pandemic, most of those rooms sit empty. Janie Har Associated Press -- 3/26/20

California is scrambling to house the homeless -- With shelters reporting that some residents show symptoms of coronavirus infection, and with public health authorities worried about outbreaks in tent camps, state officials are confronting questions of how to speed up help as much as possible. Matt Levin Calmatters -- 3/26/20

Inmates  

Federal judges urged to free thousands of California inmates -- Attorneys representing California inmates late Wednesday filed an emergency motion asking federal judges to free thousands of infirm and lower-security prisoners to prevent what they predict will otherwise be the catastrophic spread of coronavirus through a vulnerable population. Don Thompson Associated Press -- 3/26/20

The push to release more inmates from L.A. County jails due to coronavirus -- Authorities in Los Angeles County have said that a top priority in the coronavirus pandemic was reducing the number of inmates housed in the county jail system, which is the nation’s largest. It’s considered a race against time to safeguard those living and working in the crammed quarters against spread of the virus. Matt Hamilton in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/26/20

Economy   

‘All my income is gone’: Tenants, landlords voice coronavirus fears as rents come due -- Tenants and landlords throughout Southern California are bracing for next Wednesday, when April rents are due just as thousands of people have lost their jobs and most business have been shut down as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. James F. Peltz in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/26/20

L.A.'s beloved taco trucks are in survival mode -- With drastic reductions in foot traffic and revenue, many of the city’s popular taco vendors are fighting for their livelihoods. Raul Ortega, who operates Boyle Heights’ Mariscos Jalisco food truck with several family members, says that in 19 years of business he’s never witnessed such a steep decline in revenue. Patricia Escárcega in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/26/20

Unemployment  

Unemployment claims surge in California as coronavirus outbreak stalls US economy -- New unemployment claims surged dramatically in California and the nation last week as the coronavirus outbreak continued to send the economy into a tailspin. California saw 186,809 new claims last week, up dramatically from 57,606 the previous week. David Lightman in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 3/26/20

Lansner: California unemployment claims soar to record high -- The number of Californians seeking unemployment benefits has officially set a record high. And I’ll guarantee you this statistic — a quick snapshot of jobs lost since coronavirus ravaged the economy — paints too pretty a picture of a much uglier reality. Jonathan Lansner in the Orange County Register -- 3/26/20

3.3 million seek US jobless aid, nearly 5 times earlier high -- The surge in weekly applications was a stunning reflection of the damage the viral outbreak is inflicting on the economy. Filings for unemployment aid generally reflect the pace of layoffs. Layoffs are sure to accelerate as the U.S. economy sinks into a recession. Christopher Rugaber Associated Press -- 3/26/20

Workers  

No face masks so California’s farmworkers are left unprotected -- Masks shield them from pesticides and field dust, which cause respiratory problems. And as California enters fungicide season, soon followed by fire season, growers and laborers worry there won't be enough masks due to the coronavirus. Kate Cimini Calmatters -- 3/26/20

How to protect workers from the coronavirus: This CEO has good advice -- Gatherings of more than five people were banned, and six-foot-minimum social distancing was required. Larger meetings would be held outdoors. Lunch and breaks were staggered, no more than five employees at a time. Tables were spread apart. A two-level sanitizing protocol was announced, one for employees, one for equipment. The print shop is always stocked with isopropyl alcohol, “drums of it,” Kelly said. It was diluted, put in spray bottles, and handed out for each desktop and factory workstation. Russ Mitchell in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/26/20

Child Care  

Childcare providers need supplies, coronavirus guidance as daycare system suffers -- As hundreds of large preschools and daycare centers have closed amid statewide school shutdowns and stay-at-home orders, many children of essential workers are now being watched over by lone providers — mostly women working in their homes with help from family members. In L.A. County, experts say 75% are immigrants. Sonja Sharp in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/26/20

Military   

COVID-19 sidelines carrier Theodore Roosevelt; 3 San Diego ships lock down crews over virus concerns -- The San Diego-based aircraft carrier Theodore Roosevelt, deployed in the Western Pacific, is pulling into Guam to test its entire crew for COVID-19, Acting Navy Secretary Thomas Modly said today at a Pentagon press briefing. At least eight sailors on board have tested positive for the virus but a Thursday Wall Street Journal report puts the actual number at 23. Andrew Dyer in the San Diego Union-Tribune$ -- 3/26/20

Also ...  

Rows of tanks? National Guard patrols? Police stops? Officials debunk coronavirus rumors -- Amid concerns about the coronavirus, officials are trying to debunk rumors of various types about government actions. Richard Winton in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/26/20

NBCUniversal CEO Jeff Shell says he’s been diagnosed with COVID-19 -- Shell, 54, began feeling ill March 15, a couple of days after the New York-based NBCUniversal began shutting down its productions and operations. Meg James in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/26/20

Virus takes toll on US military as it tries to aid civilians -- The coronavirus is taking a growing toll on the U.S. military, and commanders and senior officials are bracing for worse. From nuclear missile fields at home to war zones abroad, from flight lines to ships at sea, the Pentagon is striving to shield vital missions even as it faces urgent calls for help on the civilian front. Robert Burns and Lolita C. Baldor Associated Press -- 3/26/20

 

California Policy & Politics This Morning  

‘Deeply flawed and very risky:’ 2 fire victims resign key roles in PG&E bankruptcy -- Two of the 11 people on the fire victims’ committee involved in PG&E Corp.’s bankruptcy proceedings have resigned their positions, a fresh sign of discord in the high-profile case that the company is trying to conclude in the coming months. J.D. Morris in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 3/26/20

Coronavirus

California coronavirus cases continue to grow, reaching rate on par with New York -- California’s top medical advisor said Wednesday that coronavirus cases continue to double in the state every three to four days, a fast pace on par with New York‘s, where some hospitals are overwhelmed and the death toll stood at 366 on Thursday night. If that rate holds, California hospitals could see a surge in patients in one to two weeks, said Dr. Mark Ghaly, the state’s secretary of Health and Human Services, during a Facebook news conference. Anita Chabria in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/26/20

‘Worst is yet to come:’ SF may need additional 1,500 ventilators, 5,000 beds to confront coronavirus -- Mayor London Breed, health Director Dr. Grant Colfax and representatives from public and private hospitals said Wednesday the city may need up to 1,500 more ventilators and 5,000 more hospital beds to confront the surge in COVID-19 cases that is predicted to descend on San Francisco in as little as two weeks. Dominic Fracassa in the San Francisco Chronicle$ Maura Dolan in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/26/20

L.A. County tells healthcare workers to reuse masks and gowns amid shortage -- A severe shortage of gear that can protect healthcare workers from COVID-19 has prompted Los Angeles County officials to advise doctors and nurses to reuse face masks and wear gowns and masks that are expired, a desperate attempt to conserve supplies amid the pandemic. Soumya Karlamangla in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/26/20

Coronavirus testing more than doubles in California. It’s still not enough -- The number of coronavirus tests conducted in California more than doubled, to nearly 67,000, up from 27,000 on Monday, as dozens of new testing sites reported numbers to the state, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Wednesday. Catherine Ho in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 3/26/20

48,600 coronavirus test results still pending in California -- Even as California continues to add tests for the novel coronavirus to its arsenal — including 150,000 flown in from Hong Kong — tens of thousands of results are still pending, California Gov. Gavin Newsom said Wednesday. Rachel Becker, Ana B. Ibarra Calmatters -- 3/26/20

Fresno area is sicker and has a doctor shortage. So the coronavirus poses a huge threat, experts warn -- Fresno has a physician shortage. As the coronavirus pandemic continues, health experts say it’s only a matter of time before the problem gets worse. Manuela Tobias Calmatters -- 3/26/20

Closed California Pacific Med Center in SF could add 150 beds in a coronavirus surge -- Gov. Gavin Newsom hopes to re-open a California Pacific Medical Center campus in San Francisco as part of a statewide plan to round up hospital beds in anticipation of a surge of coronavirus patients in the coming weeks. The campus in Pacific Heights halted inpatient services a year ago. Erin Allday in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 3/26/20

Banks agree to coronavirus mortgage relief in California amid push for eviction ban -- With 1 million Californians filing for unemployment over the last two weeks, several major banks have agreed to delay foreclosures and offer mortgage relief to homeowners impacted by the coronavirus, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Wednesday. Laurel Rosenhall Calmatters Kathleen Pender in the San Francisco Chronicle$ Phil Willon, Liam Dillon in the Los Angeles Times$Erin Baldassari, Molly Solomon KQED Nico Savidge in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 3/26/20

Coronavirus help: Are California’s mortgage relief offers a good deal? -- Lenders are lining up to let California homeowners with coronavirus-related financial troubles skip some mortgage payments. That’s great news for the homeowners among the 1 million-plus Californians who have recently applied for unemployment insurance, a shocking loss of jobs. Jonathan Lansner in the Orange County Register -- 3/26/20

Skelton: Newsom is doing what he should with the coronavirus crisis. But he needs to explain it better -- Governors are tested by crises. And Gov. Gavin Newsom is performing well handling one that is unlike any faced by a California chief executive in more than 100 years. George Skelton in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/26/20

Walters: Virus attacks California ballot measures -- As the coronavirus pandemic was clobbering California — and the rest of the known world — this month, local government officials in Sacramento County enthusiastically decided to ask voters to approve a hefty sales tax increase for transportation improvements. Dan Walters Calmatters -- 3/26/20

Economic Rescue Package   

Senate passes coronavirus rescue package on unanimous vote -- The Senate late Wednesday passed an unparalleled $2.2 trillion economic rescue package steering aid to businesses, workers and health care systems engulfed by the coronavirus pandemic. The unanimous vote came despite misgivings on both sides about whether it goes too far or not far enough and capped days of difficult negotiations as Washington confronted a national challenge unlike it has ever faced. Andrew Taylor Associated Press -- 3/26/20

Here's what's in the $2T stimulus package — and what's next -- Here’s a look at who’s getting what, and why that matters: Caitlin Emma and Jennifer Scholtes Politico -- 3/26/20

Fine Print of Stimulus Bill Contains Special Deals for Industries -- Small banks, retailers and for-profit colleges got provisions they wanted. So did Boeing. Among those who could potentially benefit: President Trump’s company. Eric Lipton and Kenneth P. Vogel in the New York Times$ -- 3/26/20

Coronavirus stimulus: Here’s what the Bay Area gets in $2 trillion package -- Many details of the sprawling package are still unclear, but officials said Wednesday that it includes billions of dollars to help San Francisco and other cities cope with the economic devastation the COVID-19 pandemic is likely to cause. Among the biggest earmarks for the Bay Area: Dustin Gardiner and Michael Cabanatuan in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 3/26/20

Coronavirus-safe election changes left out of $2 trillion stimulus bill -- Despite pleas from officials in California and across the nation, money intended to make the November election safer and more secure was left out of the $2 trillion coronavirus stimulus bill before Congress. A $4 billion request for that election help was replaced by $400 million that would allow states to increase vote-by-mail efforts and expand early voting. John Wildermuth in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 3/26/20

Unemployment

CSULB shops lay off nearly 600 employees as university goes online amid coronavirus spread -- Nearly 600 employees – mostly students – were laid off at Cal State Long Beach shops this week after the university moved to all online classes for the rest of the semester amid coronavirus concerns, officials said Wednesday. Emily Rasmussen in the Long Beach Press Telegram$ -- 3/26/20

Pechanga employees will get health benefits through April despite anticipated coronavirus layoffs -- Pechanga Resort Casino near Temecula is anticipating a temporary layoff of its employees as of April 1 as it remains closed due to the novel coronavirus, but it is planning to pay for 100 percent of team member health insurance — including medical, dental and vision — through the end of April, officials for the resort announced Wednesday, March 25, via a news release. Alex Groves in the Riverside Press Enterprise$ -- 3/26/20

Business  

San Diego OKs $6.1M relief package for city businesses with 100 workers or less -- San Diego’s City Council on Wednesday approved a $6.1 million relief package for city businesses with 100 workers or fewer that can demonstrate they have suffered financially from the COVID-19 pandemic. David Garrick in the San Diego Union-Tribune$ -- 3/26/20

California restaurants plead for insurance help during coronavirus closures -- After shutting their doors and laying off staff amid the Covid-19 pandemic, thousands of California’s panicked business owners are confronting another head-spinning crisis: insurance firms rejecting their loss claims. Carla Marinucci and Katy Murphy Politico -- 3/26/20

Spread     

Garden Grove doctor one of first in U.S. to offer coronavirus rapid blood test -- Test used in Asia can provide results in 10 minutes with simple fingerstick; DA says doctor made 'no false claims' Scott Schwebke, Teri Sforza in the Los Angeles Daily News$ -- 3/26/20

Coronavirus patients filled nearly half the beds at Kaiser Permanente’s San Jose hospital, executive says -- Nearly half of the patients at Kaiser Permanente San Jose Medical Center have or are believed to have COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, a Kaiser executive told a medical association. Matt Kawahara in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 3/26/20

Laguna Honda orders full lockdown following 5 staff members sick with coronavirus -- Laguna Honda Hospital, a 750-person facility that serves some of San Francisco’s most vulnerable, will be placed on lockdown Wednesday evening — an aggressive step that officials say is necessary to contain an outbreak in the facility, where five staff members have tested positive for the novel coronavirus. Trisha Thadani in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 3/26/20

As coronavirus threat looms, SF cuts red tape to speed up hiring of public health nurses -- The order, effective immediately, will allow the Department of Public Health to bypass regular hiring guidelines for public health care workers. Typically, it takes the city six months or more to hire a nurse. Under the new rule, some medical professionals can be hired on the spot and start working in as little as a week. Trisha Thadani in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 3/26/20

How Fast the Coronavirus Could Spread in San Diego, in One Chart -- County officials released projections Wednesday on just how many people the novel coronavirus could infect in San Diego. The projections contain two alarming possibilities: The number of COVID-19 cases may not peak for at least six weeks, and even when the peak occurs we may not have enough hospital beds for the patients who need them. Will Huntsberry Voiceofsandiego.org -- 3/26/20

LA’s Garcetti touts $2 trillion deal’s coronavirus aid for LA, but doubles down on length of city shutdown -- Mayor Eric Garcetti said Wednesday that L.A.’s worst days are still ahead during the coronavirus emergency, reminding residents that the lockdown on all but essential services in the city could last two months or more. “It’s difficult for me to see any scenario where this is less than two months,” he said at his daily evening briefing from City Hall. Ryan Carter in the Los Angeles Daily News$ -- 3/26/20

New coronavirus warning: Don’t visit family; exercise only in your area -- A health officer in California is urging people to exercise only in their own immediate neighborhoods, and to stop visiting family in other households, as local authorities across California urge people to avoid worsening the coronavirus outbreak. Jaclyn Cosgrove, Rong-Gong Lin II in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/26/20

Sneeze guards go up at grocery checkouts as UFCW petitions for coronavirus policy -- Three of the country’s largest supermarket chains are installing partitions at checkout stands, and the union that represents local workers is trying to make those safety measures part of public policy in California. Jack Katzanek in the Riverside Press Enterprise$ -- 3/26/20

New San Diego COVID-19 cluster identified, cases near 300 -- Dr. Eric McDonald, medical director of epidemiology and immunization services for San Diego County, confirmed at a daily press briefing that a cluster had been identified at the Mission Valley Veterans Administration office. Gary Warth in the San Diego Union-Tribune$ -- 3/26/20

OC jail deputies seek more protections after inmate tests positive for coronavirus -- The first Orange County inmate to test positive for the novel coronavirus this week had been incarcerated for more than 1 1/2 years — meaning he caught the virus from someone inside the jail system. Someone who hasn’t been identified. Someone who may have infected others at the 1,433-inmate Men’s Central Jail in Santa Ana. Tony Saavedra in the Orange County Register -- 3/26/20

Sacramento sheriff ordered to release more inmates from jails over coronavirus concerns -- Sacramento County Sheriff Scott Jones’ office says a court has ordered additional inmate releases from its two jails because of the coronavirus pandemic, a move that will lead to 421 more prisoners being set free by Monday. Sam Stanton in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 3/26/20

San Diego-based Navy ship orders crew confined on board amid soaring COVID-19 case numbers -- Without notice, sailors on board the amphibious transport dock Somerset were told upon arriving to work Wednesday they were not allowed to leave. Andrew Dyer in the San Diego Union-Tribune$ -- 3/26/20

Navy Child Development Center worker tests positive for COVID-19 -- A civilian working at the Naval Air Station North Island Child Development Center has tested positive for COVID-19, according to a base statement Wednesday. The employee began feeling ill two weeks ago and has been absent form work since, said Kevin Dixon, a base spokesman. An investigation found no children or employees at the center are symptomatic of the virus and it remains open. Andrew Dyer in the San Diego Union-Tribune$ -- 3/26/20

Marines establish Camp Pendleton task force, coronavirus isolation center -- Personnel who test positive will be housed in a new isolation center monitored by medical staff; local military cases climb to 26. Andrew Dyer in the San Diego Union-Tribune$ -- 3/26/20

Pentagon orders halt overseas movement for U.S. military over coronavirus -- Defense Secretary Mark Esper has issued a stop movement order to the U.S. military halting travel and movement abroad for up to 60 days in an effort to limit the spread of the coronavirus through the ranks, the Pentagon chief told Reuters on Wednesday. Phil Stewart, Idrees Ali Reuters -- 3/26/20

Federal judges urged to free thousands of California inmates -- Attorneys representing California inmates late Wednesday filed an emergency motion asking federal judges to free thousands of infirm and lower-security prisoners to prevent what they predict will otherwise be the catastrophic spread of coronavirus through a vulnerable population. Don Thompson Associated Press -- 3/26/20

Orange County sheriff says there is no immediate plan to release inmates early over coronavirus -- A day after the first Orange County inmate tested positive for the coronavirus, the Sheriff’s Department said it does not plan to release prisoners early amid the growing pandemic until all other options are exhausted. Priscella Vega in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/26/20

The VA Told Employees to Keep Coming to Work – Now Several Have the Coronavirus -- Employees at the Department of Veterans Affairs in San Diego say they’re not being allowed to work remotely and have been required to use personal leave in order to quarantine themselves at home – even as several employees have tested positive for the novel coronavirus and many others await test results. Maya Srikrishnan Voiceofsandiego.org -- 3/26/20

Rep. Katie Porter self-quarantines as she waits for coronavirus test results -- Rep. Katie Porter of Irvine is under self-quarantine while she waits for results of a coronavirus test ordered by her doctor after she started experiencing possible symptoms of the infection. “I haven’t left my bedroom in five days,” she told the Register on Wednesday evening. Brooke Staggs in the Orange County Register -- 3/26/20

Social Distancing  

SF city attorney slams promoter for selling ‘illegal party’ tickets at nightclub during coronavirus pandemic -- City Attorney Dennis Herrera said Wednesday that his office had demanded the property owner of a San Francisco nightclub cancel a concert planned for Friday night because during the coronavirus pandemic it would be considered an “illegal party.” Dominic Fracassa in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 3/26/20

Coronavirus: Stores scramble to enforce senior shopping hours -- Scores of seniors have shown up to “senior hour” at grocery stores this week, only to be met with younger people who have elbowed their way in. Grocers have designated certain times for seniors and other vulnerable populations to shop amid a panic-buying frenzy during the coronavirus pandemic that’s contributing to empty shelves. Shwanika Narayan in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 3/26/20

California’s shelter-in-place order, explained -- Less than a week into Gov. Gavin Newsom's stay-at-home directive, not all Californians have been playing by the rules, forcing more restrictions. Watch this video to learn what the rules mean. Byrhonda Lyons Calmatters -- 3/26/20

Transit  

Boost for BART: Stimulus deal could send $1.3 billion to Bay Area public transit systems -- Bay Area public transit systems that have been battered by massive ridership drops and bracing for a recession are breathing a sigh of relief. Nico Savidge in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 3/26/20

Las Vegas high-speed train project, once stuck in low gear, is now moving forward -- The last time a California railroad conductor hailed “all aboard for Las Vegas” was more than 20 years ago, after lines such as the Desert Wind, the Crapshooters Express and the Fun Train failed to attract riders. Ralph Vartabedian in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/26/20

Homeless  

SF’s most vulnerable are packed into homeless shelters with coronavirus distancing discouraged -- San Franciscans are supposed to stay 6 feet apart from each other — except in homeless shelters where city officials have deep-sixed any effort at social distancing. Heather Knight in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 3/26/20

663 beds coming for homeless to prevent coronavirus spread in Sacramento County -- Sacramento County health officials, who are leading a collaborative local effort to house the homeless, said they have already begun moving a few people into new housing. The task force includes Sacramento County, City of Sacramento, Sacramento Steps Forward and Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency. Theresa Clift and Tony Bizjak in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 3/26/20

Housing  

Coronavirus and rent: California tenant advocates say statewide break is needed -- While California homeowners affected by the coronavirus outbreak are set to receive mortgage relief, tenant advocates say Gov. Gavin Newsom has not done enough to protect renters at risk of losing their homes. Alexei Koseff in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 3/26/20

San Diego freezes tenant evictions linked to coronavirus as landlords plead for help -- The emergency ordinance specifically requires that all back rent be paid within six months. Joshua Emerson Smith in the San Diego Union-Tribune$ -- 3/26/20

Bay Area’s largest housing development appears dead -- The redevelopment of the Concord Naval Weapons Station, the Bay Area’s largest proposed housing project, appears to be dead after the Concord City Council declined to extend an agreement with Lennar, the project’s master developer. J.K. Dineen in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 3/26/20

Education 

Increased anxiety and depression top college students’ concerns in coronavirus survey -- Before the coronavirus outbreak shuttered colleges, Crystal Hammond worked three paid internships and did her homework on campus or at local coffee shops. School offered her the security and opportunity to focus on her future, she said. Arit John in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/26/20

San Diego State investigating whether fraternity leader promoted blackout drinking among students -- The inquiry comes as the university is already investigating student drinking and safety in the wake of the death of Dylan Hernandez, a freshman who fell out of a bunk bed and cracked his skull in November after returning from a night of partying with Phi Gamma Delta, where he was a pledge. Gary Robbins in the San Diego Union-Tribune$ -- 3/26/20

Parents, teachers struggle as child care centers close in California -- Thousands of preschool and child care programs remain open across California even as the number of children attending continues to drop amid fears of spreading the coronavirus. Zaidee Stavely EdSource -- 3/26/20

Water 

Early April precipitation is expected to be below normal where it is most needed in Northern California -- April showers may be more scarce than normal north of Point Conception in California, according to an outlook produced by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. This area where the probability of precipitation is below normal includes virtually all of Northern California and the crucial northern Sierra Nevada, where the state’s largest reservoirs are located. Paul Duginski in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/26/20

Guns  

LA County sheriff says he has authority to shut down gun stores -- Sheriff Alex Villanueva said Wednesday he has the authority to force gun stores to close – or to modify how they operate – if they are creating a threat to public safety amid the growing coronavirus outbreak. The Los Angeles County sheriff’s stance contradicted the legal opinion of the top attorney for the Board of Supervisors, with Villanueva saying he could ask them to shutter or require them to change how they do business. Josh Cain in the Los Angeles Daily News$ -- 3/26/20

Also . . . 

Volunteers rally to produce homemade face masks for coronavirus medical workers -- A Brea T-shirt factory was humming Tuesday morning as 150 workers labored at sewing machines or boxed up finished product for shipping. But AST Sportswear wasn’t making T-shirts, its usual ware. Instead, its workers were making face masks for health professionals dealing with the novel coronavirus. Jeff Collins in the Orange County Register -- 3/26/20

Coronavirus: 7 ways you can help Bay Area doctors and nurses right now -- From supplying coffee to sending virtual cards, here are some ways to support health care workers on the front lines of fighting COVID-19 Emily DeRuy in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 3/26/20

Southern California man drummed up investments for phony coronavirus cure, FBI says -- The muscled, spray-tanned and self-described “Genius Entrepreneur” cupped a white pill in his palm, then told his 2.4 million followers on Instagram: “If I walk in the Staples Center and everyone is testing coronavirus-positive, OK, I can’t contract it.” Matthew Ormseth in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/26/20

L.A. County supervisors seek to remove Sheriff Villanueva as head of emergency operations during pandemic -- The L.A. County Board of Supervisors is taking steps to remove Sheriff Alex Villanueva as the head of the county’s emergency operations center during the coronavirus outbreak, a move he called a “pure power grab at the worst time possible.” Alene Tchekmedyian in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/26/20

Why do California companies have so many masks to donate? -- But why do these companies have so many masks to begin with? California wildfires could be the driving factor. In 2019, the year after a historically brutal wildfire season inundated California cities with smoke, the state adopted a regulation that requires employers to make respirators available when the air quality is unhealthy. The regulation notes that an N95 respirator, which is currently in high demand at hospitals, “is the minimum level of protection for wildfire smoke.” J.D. Morris in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 3/26/20

Police employee finds surplus cache of masks, and SJPD donates them to hospitals for COVID-19 fight -- One afternoon last week, San Jose Police Department property supervisor Anna Hawkes was awash in news of widespread shortages of masks and other supplies at area hospitals straining to keep up with the spiking number of people needing hospital care for COVID-19. Robert Salonga in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 3/26/20

Bay Area corner stores become a lifeline during the coronavirus crisis -- While many large grocery chains around the Bay Area struggle to keep shelves stocked and enforce social distancing requirements in an effort to stave off the coronavirus pandemic, neighborhood corner stores have become more vital than ever. Aidin Vaziri in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 3/26/20

Coronavirus and California’s rape crisis centers -- When a person who has been sexually assaulted or is trying to escape a domestic violence situation comes to either of Community Solutions’ two offices, they will notice two things. First, the doors are open. Second, the waiting room has no chairs. As is the case with all of California’s 84 rape crisis centers, Community Solution is continuing to provide services to clients in need during the COVID-19 crisis. Scott Soriano Capitol Weekly -- 3/26/20

Anthony Fauci: The coronavirus pandemic ‘is not, as it were, under control’ -- Anthony Fauci, 79, is the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases at the National Institutes of Health. He has advised six presidents on health epidemics. The Washington Post Magazine interviewed him by phone on March 20. KK Ottesen in the Washington Post$ -- 3/26/20

Coronavirus: Bill Gates predicted pandemic in 2015 -- As the coronavirus spreads with a dangerous and relentless momentum, many Americans, including political leaders, have been shocked over how the pandemic has shut down the world economy, stretched hospitals to the breaking point, and transformed everyday living. But Bill Gates warned five years ago that it was coming. Paul Rogers in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 3/26/20

House Hygiene: How to keep coronavirus from coming home -- As the spread of the new coronavirus has driven me and everyone else indoors to shelter in place, my home really has become my haven … and my office and school and gym and movie theater and restaurants and pretty much my world. Marni Jameson in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 3/26/20

How to care for someone with COVID-19 -- Has someone in your home tested positive for the coronavirus or started showing symptoms? Here’s how to care for your loved one and keep yourself safe. Nicole Santa Cruz in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/26/20

POTUS 45  

Trump's coronavirus briefings see big audiences. Some argue that's bad -- President Trump's daily White House novel coronavirus task force briefings are attracting record viewership, but some critics say TV news networks shouldn't air them because he and administration officials have dispensed misinformation about COVID-19. Why it matters: Live briefings can be difficult for networks to fact-check in real time. Critics argue that airing the press events unfiltered on a daily basis will mislead the public about the pandemic, putting Americans' health and safety at risk. Sara Fischer, Ursula Perano Axios -- 3/26/20

Trump team failed to follow NSC’s pandemic playbook -- The 69-page document, finished in 2016, provided a step by step list of priorities – which were then ignored by the administration. Dan Diamond and Nahal Toosi Politico -- 3/26/20

Exclusive: U.S. slashed CDC staff inside China prior to coronavirus outbreak -- The Trump administration cut staff by more than two-thirds at a key U.S. public health agency operating inside China, as part of a larger rollback of U.S.-funded health and science experts on the ground there leading up to the coronavirus outbreak, Reuters has learned. Marisa Taylor Reuters -- 3/26/20

Beltway 

Politicians jockeying for covid-19 tests find proximity to Trump is the fastest route -- Late last month, Mick Mulvaney, who was still the acting White House chief of staff at the time, told a crowd of conservative activists that the media was exaggerating the threat posed by covid-19 because “they think this will bring down the president, that’s what this is all about. . . . It’s not a death sentence, it’s not the same as the Ebola crisis.” But unbeknown to attendees at the Conservative Political Action Conference, Mulvaney had already received a coronavirus test, at the recommendation of the White House physician. Juliet Eilperin, Michael Scherer, Josh Dawsey and Seung Min Kim in the Washington Post$ -- 3/26/20

 

-- Wednesday Updates 

As 1 million Californians file for unemployment, homeowners hurt by coronavirus will get a break -- Several major banks and financial institutions have agreed to delay foreclosures and provide mortgage relief to California homeowners who are struggling to make their monthly payments due to the novel coronavirus outbreak, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Wednesday. Phil Willon, Liam Dillon in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/25/20

California governor says 4 banks to waive mortgage fees -- California Gov. Gavin Newsom says four of the nation’s largest banks have agreed to temporarily suspend mortgage payments for those affected by the coronavirus. Wells Fargo, US Bank, Citi and JP Morgan Chase have all agreed to waive mortgage payments for 90 days, Newsom said. Bank of America has agreed to a 30-day suspension, he said. Adam Beam Associated Press -- 3/25/20

 

As deaths rise in L.A. County, officials issue new quarantine order for the sick -- As the number of coronavirus cases continued to spike in Los Angeles County, the health officer issued an order Wednesday requiring all individuals who are presumed positive or have tested positive for COVID-19 to self-isolate, and for all close contacts of such individuals to self-quarantine. L.A. County confirmed three additional deaths linked to the coronavirus Wednesday, and is no longer including the death of the Lancaster teenager reported Tuesday in its count. Sarah Parvini, Rong-Gong Lin Ii, Taryn Luna, Colleen Shalby in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/25/20

The worst of coronavirus is still ahead for California: ‘The peak will be bad’ -- With coronavirus-related deaths in California climbing to 55, state officials are warning that the worst is still to come as the virus continues to spread. Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti warned Tuesday that residents should be prepared for more loss of life as the pandemic expands. Sarah Parvini, Rong-Gong Lin Ii, Taryn Luna, Colleen Shalby in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/25/20

Will California’s coronavirus crisis look like Italy’s soon? -- More than 2,600 cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in the Golden State and 55 people have died of the respiratory disease. That’s a far cry from the 69,000 cases and 6,820 deaths reported in Italy. But health officials here have hinted that it’s possible. Rong-Gong Lin II in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/25/20

Coronavirus threatens to wipe out California’s $21-billion surplus. And it could get worse -- For more than six years, through two governors and hundreds of lawmakers’ votes, California’s state government slowly built the largest cash reserve in its history — projected to total $21 billion by next summer. John Myers in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/25/20

What exactly is in this massive $2 trillion Senate coronavirus bill? -- The $2 trillion bill touches every part of the economy, and parts of it are still being negotiated and could change. But overall, there are five categories of beneficiaries of the bill: taxpayers, small businesses, corporations, hospitals, and states and localities. Let’s start with how this bill aims to help you, the taxpayer, during the coronavirus pandemic. Amber Phillips in the Washington Post$ -- 3/25/20

Bay Area counties extend school closures through May 1 amid coronavirus shutdowns -- Seven Bay Area county health officers and school officials on Wednesday announced they are extending school closures until May 1 in an effort to slow the spread of novel coronavirus. Aldo Toledo in the San Jose Mercury$ Amy Graff in the San Francisco Chronicle -- 3/25/20

Elderly stranded in hospitals as nursing homes turn them away over coronavirus -- Carl Schoen’s 99-year-old mother has lived in a nursing home for five years. On March 13, she was taken to the emergency room at Huntington Memorial Hospital with pneumonia. She got better quickly, within a few days, but now the nursing home won’t take her back because she can’t prove she doesn’t have the coronavirus. She got tested 12 days ago but the results aren’t back yet. Jack Dolan, Harriet Ryan, Brittny Mejia in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/25/20

How the coronavirus pandemic is crippling California's efforts to prevent catastrophic wildfires -- California’s ability to prepare for a dry and potentially dangerous fire season this year is being crippled as the coronavirus pandemic prompts fire agencies across the West to cancel or delay programs aimed at preventing catastrophic wildfire. Kurtis Alexander in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 3/25/20

AC Transit just eliminated fares. Why can't BART do the same? -- On Monday, the Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District announced that riders will not have to pay fares for the indefinite future. Meanwhile, BART last week announced a reduction in service with no change to the cost of boarding a train. What accounts for the disparate responses of the two transit agencies? In a word: budgets. Michael Rosen in the San Francisco Chronicle -- 3/25/20

Banks: How coronavirus turned supermarket workers into heroes -- Raymond Lopez doesn’t carry a stethoscope or wear a gun. He’s more at home on a loading dock than in a fire station. But as a grocery store worker, Lopez is on the front lines of our daily battle against a new enemy: coronavirus pandemic panic. Sandy Banks in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/25/20

Guns  

Sheriff suspends efforts to close L.A. gun stores amid coronavirus restrictions -- One day after announcing that gun shops were nonessential businesses that needed to close their doors amid the ongoing coronavirus outbreak, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department has shelved efforts to shut them down. Luke Money, Richard Winton in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/25/20

Health Workers  

Orange County now accepting donated equipment to protect health workers from coronavirus -- Businesses that want to donate items to protect Orange County’s health care workers can now do so through the county’s Emergency Operations Center. Starting Wednesday, March 25, the county will accept new, unopened containers or packages of medical and N95 masks, gloves, gowns, eye protection and sanitizing wipes. The items will be distributed to health care providers around the county, according to a news release. Alicia Robinson in the Orange County Register -- 3/25/20

Unemployment  

California hit with 1 million unemployment claims amid help for homeowners during coronavirus pandemic -- Several major banks and financial institutions have agreed to delay foreclosures and provide mortgage relief to California homeowners struggling to make their monthly payments due to the novel coronavirus outbreak, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced on Wednesday. Phil Willon, Liam Dillon in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/25/20

California isn’t ready to increase unemployment benefits in coronavirus crisis, analyst warns -- A new report from the nonpartisan Legislative Analyst’s Office found the information technology systems at California’s Employment Development Department, which adminsters unemployment benefits, are limited in what they can currently do. David Lightman in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 3/25/20

Can’t pay rent because of coronavirus? Here’s how Sacramento-area eviction protections work -- So far, only the city of Sacramento and Davis have passed emergency ordinances to protect renters from evictions if they’ve been financially impacted by COVID-19, the potentially deadly disease caused by the virus that has infected more than 2,300 people in California as of Tuesday. Alexandra Yoon-Hendricks and Theresa Clift in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 3/25/20

Business Survival  

L.A. threatens to shut off water, power of businesses breaking coronavirus rules -- Mayor Eric Garcetti expressed frustration and outrage that some nonessential businesses remained open despite coronavirus restrictions and vowed Los Angeles would take action against them. Sarah Parvini, Richard Winton in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/25/20

How long can Sacramento businesses survive a coronavirus shutdown? -- While the governor’s “stay at home” order exempts plenty of businesses, from hardware stores to auto-repair shops to pharmacies, it has left thousands of others out in the cold. Whether they own health clubs or jewelry stores or day spas, entrepreneurs are learning instantly painful lessons in financial triage as they figure out which bills get paid and which don’t. Dale Kasler and Michael Finch in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 3/25/20

How California businesses can get help to outlast coronavirus and keep their employees -- There are resources available at both the state and federal level aimed at helping businesses struggling with the COVID-19 pandemic. Here’s a look at some of the assistance available to them, and some of the ways companies are trying to keep workers on their payroll. Andrew Sheeler in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 3/25/20

Economics Of Coronavirus Slam California’s Commercial Fishermen, Including In San Diego -- The true economic impact of the novel coronavirus is a long way from being determined, but it has likely already affected every industry in San Diego — including the one that helped define the region. Brad Racino, Zoë Meyers inewsource via KPBS -- 3/25/20

Surviving the Shutdown: Gardena Bowl Coffee Shop has its loyal customers, but ‘we’re a little more desperate’ -- As the restaurant shutdown stretches into the foreseeable future, Nakano worries that more tough decisions are ahead. Small vendors he buys from are already hurting, and he’s concerned some won’t be able to supply him with ingredients soon, which could cause him to reduce hours further. Garrett Snyder in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/25/20

Construction Industry Stays Open Amid Virus Outbreak To Combat A Different Crisis: California’s Housing Shortage -- There was a steady whir of construction on Monday at the Folsom Ranch subdivision, where about 40 workers sawed lumber, applied stucco, hauled mulch and added other final touches to new homes near Highway 50. Contractors supplied workers more soap and hand sanitizer and asked crews to wash their hands multiple times a day. Chris Nichols Capital Public Radio -- 3/25/20

Learning at Home  

Bretón: How kids learn at home in coronavirus shutdown depends on their school and where they live -- The coronavirus outbreak exacerbates inequality among kids because when schools closed and all of us began to shelter in place to slow the spread of COVID-19, some kids were positioned to begin learning immediately and without missing a beat while others weren’t. Marcos Bretón in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 3/25/20

‘Zoombombing’ hits USC as classes are interrupted with racist remarks -- In a letter to the university community, USC President Carol Folt and Provost Charles Zukoski wrote that they learned Tuesday that some online Zoom classes “were disrupted by people who used racist and vile language that interrupted lectures and learning.” Luke Money in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/25/20

Spread     

Long Beach reports 8 firefighters tested positive for coronavirus -- In all, Long Beach announced 13 new cases Wednesday, upping the citywide total to 41 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus, officially known as Covid-19. Four of the firefighters are Long Beach residents and were included in Wednesday’s updated total, while the others live elsewhere. Hayley Munguia in the Long Beach Press Telegram$ -- 3/25/20

Gov. Newsom Halts Intake of New Inmates Into State Prisons, Citing Coronavirus Threat -- Gov. Gavin Newsom issued an executive order Tuesday evening suspending the intake of new people into both state prisons and juvenile facilities, citing the health and safety of current staff and inmates in state lockups. Marisa Lagos KQED -- 3/25/20

How Silicon Valley became California’s epicenter of the coronavirus -- The tipping point came on March 6, when county public health authorities recommended all large gatherings be postponed. The San Jose Sharks professional hockey team went ahead with a home game that evening anyway, playing before an announced attendance of more than 14,500 fans. Infectious disease experts and county officers were livid. COVID-19 “clearly is a virus that likes high-density populations,” said Dr. Jeffrey V. Smith, Santa Clara’s executive officer, who is a physician and a lawyer. Maura Dolan, Susanne Rust in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/25/20

Dana Point closes trails, coves due to coronavirus concerns -- The city of Dana Point has closed access to Dana Cove and the tidepool area behind the Ocean Institute, as well as several trails in the city, until further notice due to coronavirus concerns. Laylan Connelly in the Orange County Register -- 3/25/20

San Clemente closed pier, beach parking lots due to coronavirus concerns -- San Clemente shut down the popular pier and city-owned beachfront parking lots in an effort to curb the spread of coronavirus, with the closures starting Wednesday, March 25. The sand and ocean, as well as the beach trail, remain open for now. Laylan Connelly in the Orange County Register -- 3/25/20

OC Parks joins parking lot closures at county beaches and parks to curb coronavirus -- OC Parks announced the closure of parking lots at all county beaches, regional parks and wilderness parks to curb the spread of coronavirus, effective Wednesday, March 25. Laylan Connelly in the Orange County Register -- 3/25/20

Trump’s refusal to use wartime powers to direct scarce medical supplies has left states fighting it out -- Trump’s reluctance to take a more assertive role -- instead forcing states to fend for themselves and bid against one another -- has created confusion and competition. And it has at times tied the hands of his own administration officials designated to lead the White House response to the pandemic. Don Lee, Jennifer Haberkorn in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/25/20